Ilam Park: Guided Walk: along the River Manifold and back

A six-mile walk starting with a riverside walk, then crossing Coldwall Bridge and climbing up to the village of Thorpe and on to Hamston Hill before visiting Dovedale and finally enjoying the views on the return to Ilam Park.

The walk will start from the stable yard at Ilam Park at 10.30 on 25 September. We will leave the park, passing Ilam’s historic church, to reach the meadows beside the River Manifold. The footpath over the fields passes the river’s confluence with the Dove before reaching the huge stone bridge at Coldwall. Crossing the Dove from Staffordshire to Derbyshire, we climb to the village of Thorpe. We thread through its back lanes and past its ancient church, before crossing to the high ground of Hamston Hill. After a short ridge walk we descend Linn Dale to the famous stepping stones of Dovedale. Dovedale also offers amenities for a lunch break, before the final leg climbing a little to the concessionary path along the foot of Bunster Hill which offers great views of the valley before returning to Ilam Park.

We grade our guided walks A, B or C depending on how challenging the walk will be. This walk is graded B - a walk of about six miles with ascents totalling c800 feet, mainly over fields but with some hilly terrain.

Please bring a packed lunch. Dogs are welcome but they must be kept on a lead at all times. There will also be a number of stiles to negotiate.

All visitors taking part in the walk will receive free car parking and a voucher for 10% off at the Ilam Park tearoom redeemable on the day of the walk. All money raised goes back into looking after the White Peak.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Ashbourne.